Apparatus for forming optical blanks



A ril 13 19 26. 1,580,159

w. OWEN APfARATUS FOR FORMING; OPTICAL sums- Fi ledMay 13, 1924 4Sheets-Sheet 1 a v I W a April 13 1926.

I v 1,580,159 -w. OWEN APPARATUS FOR FORMING OTICAL BLANKS Filed May 13,1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN 70R A ril 13, 1926. 1,580,159 I V W., O WENAPPARATUS FOR FORMING OPTI CAL BLANKS Filed May 13, 1924 4,Sheets-Sheat4 F IE5 Patented Apr. 13, 1926'.

UNITED STATES.

WILLIAM OWEN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGN OR TO PITTSBURGH ILATEGLASS COMPANY,

A GQRPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING OPTICAL BLANKS.

Application filed May 13, 1924. Serial No. 713,081.

- ferring: the blanks from the heating ap-.

' paratns to the press. It has for its principal al ts the provision ofnnproved means f simple construction for accon'iphsh- "in; the t'ansferof the blanks asabove specified, sothat (1) they are positioned withactawaeyfland certainty in the mold cavities, and sotha-t (2) a part ofthe corareislightly rounded, n1 sin-inc; a properseatiiig ofthose blanksin the mold cavities, which are a trifle over size and which otherwisemight not be flat in such cavities. One en'il'iodiment of the inventionis illustrated in-the-jaccompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagranunatie plan view showing a part of the apparatus.Fig. 2 is a section on the line ll ll of Fig. 1. Fig". I) is a sectionon the line llll-1l[ of'Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is'a partial plan view of thepress with certain of the parts removed to more clearly show theconstruction beneath. Figs. 5, (3 and 7 are enlarged detail views of theturn over device. Figs. 5 and (3 being see tions at right. tll iglltr'jto each other. And Figs. 8 and 9 aretwo detail views of the endlesspusher device, the. sections being taken at right angles to each other.

lncarryinn out the invention in its preferred form, an annular heatinv;chamber for the blanks is employed for bringing them to a plasticcondition for molding or pressing: in a press molding machine locatedalongside the furnace at the discharge side. thereof. A transfer deviceis provided he.-

- ners of the blanl tween the carrier of the heating chamber with meansfor turning the blanks upside down belorc they are placed inthe press,

and the press or molding machine together and it is to these. devicesthat the invention is particularly directed, noclaim being made hereinto the general combination involving the annular furnace, the press, andtransfer means herebctween. The furnace is provided with an endlesscarrier, to which the blanks are fed, and heating means are provided sothat these hlanks during their progress through the chamber are raisedto av temperature slightly in excess of that; required .l'or nolding,but at the same time below thh iiielting point ofthe glass, so thattheyqnay be readily transferred 'to the press withoiit sticking. Theinvention is not lim- B5 ited to a heating furnace which is annularinform, although this is the preferred form, and the press is notlimited to any particular type, although the preferred one is of thekind shown, involving a rotating platen or table with a plurality ofmold cavities in combination with a plunger, the rotationofthetable-step by step being timed with respect to the operation of theplunger and with respect to the feed of the blanks from the heatinpfurnace to the press, and the 'arrangement being, such that a blank isfed to one of the cavities, 'wh-ilethe platen or table is stationary,after which it is fed ahead one step and stopped, while the plungeroperates to press the blank into the cavity, another blank being at thistime fed into the next cavity of the table. The press is preferablylocated below the level of the furnace, so that the transfer may beaccomplished by gravity, but the invention is not limited to thisfeature. As illustrated, the blanks are shoved oil of the annularcarrier by means of a continuous pusher device and into the upper end ofan inclined chute, which carries them down to the turnover device. Thisturnover device is pivoted to swing through an arc of 180 degrees and inits inverted position fits over oneof the cavities of the mold, sothat-the turnover device inverts the blank and deposits it in the moldcavity prelin'iinary to pressing. The inertia of the blankin slidingdown the chute is utilized to round a part of the corners of the blankincident to the impact. when the blank is stopped, so that the maximun'roverall dimensions of the blank are. slightly reduced, tending to makethem drop into the mold cavities more readily. The

tnrning iover of the blank is desirable, this operation results ingiving a pressed blank ,\\'lH(fll is comparatively free from (lee"l'ects on one side, all of the delects'ineidenfi to heating andpressing),- being; upon the other side. These defects consist of theimtug 09 the press bigng ampp;

pregsa x @212 Mania. 0'1: carrier on the side of the blankwhich angagssthe health and of the fin which is farmed in tha pressing 6' emtimnincifieflt in 31 excess of glass in t 6 blank which is being; pressed,such fin being inflamed 0n he side next to the phmg fer. lhe tiirningover of Lhe blanks, wrefore, brings the; upper 0; un med surfaca or theblank s0 Unit ii") fZlCGS down in the 10 mold and is free from anywarring eficc? pioduced by fihe pressing. The precise fm'm of annularheating. chamber and maid "5mg n'mci fine farms invention and is shownin gz'ealer dataii in 5 gthe application, Serial No, 618,087, filed 9,1923, the present invmtion relating pn l'ticuiariy $10 the means forremoving; 51m flanks fl-0m the heaz'fll 0r carrim' andtmns v win them213 the press in such manner fimafihey an: inverted in positima,Refining farm; in the genemi amigmwmem p fi paflts, as inrificatedi in 1312336 annular heating; chamber f0? file blanks which iapmvidet with 0'im" Ema-used.

thecimmbai" and mads 01 mfzw *iak, each a2 clay; C is tha 1. he "machineupon which the m mmmtxad for rotatiam being; suppm this annularcas'iainq D and driven circular-k I I is Waning cam. .Gutting away thechambm? as $0 the ibp of the carrier: ma give an fiflzaisty offeedingthe Hanks 50 such. and removing them thereiimm; G 1mg d avic forsuppiyizag 523w Hank's by we, wh a carmier suitable irate vais;

1 iii a usberdevica' fer mmziving $3M; blanks immi la QMii'iQK B theyhaw ma die the fiircuit M? the fzzmace and arrived fiii-L paint wopposite the press a tempemium an; M2 i0n '-'Bmpi1g or molding; Jzl'chuta in? lmeiving the blanks fmm' the pusher deviceand conductingthem ico timmess; is the' press also referred i as i lfi xzmkiing; m? 46pressmg machine; was 1G 22. tuz'mover Elev vlce Em." tummg blankslip-3163a down and dgwsitizw'ihem i3: he: 2210M. as sf 11m press ab ie,for W 3 3% Z 'a-for w the nmgiar Amber: by means 491i? 1521a v Whlfihct: J the; ear a1 ".5 twine chamber am mrwluaik mated .Ehichpninfi mayham mrimafi tempera-- 1mm such he phzsi c ma for maiding' They we fad 1151) of. fine chute, 1F and move by the mammal" devise L, c3 i 0111 mfeinverted umi'placeak "61d saw?" no part 0f the present to A is ed onlyin anemgh sing conktmloushk van from the shaft while the shy-.3953 1sgivm a] movement of r0- ta'zion by the intermittent eal" drivecomprising the notched wheel a tu arm carryiiw' tha} radar *2 1 01engaging the notches m the wheel 5., The shaft 3 carries the Xliifidtable, Sprovide with the cavities 3, while aha shafu :2 carries aplurality of CMTAS for operating tha indexing mamber 10, the ail" waivesfax: the cylinder 11, mgd the verti calrack $221- moving Mm iumuverpiafee' 01' member L {The plungar @f the air cjnimkar fipc-wtesflwaplunger 13 pressingxme Hanks 11m L, 5 11016. claviii es, tbs

csmeciinn bemmm fiche awapiuzlgers includring; tbs maker- 19 1, ezaindicmheri in Fig. nqdewea fa; feemng; the flanks from chain 1" pass'ngarmmd spiackeis i6, 1? mm. 18 and pusiaer blacks thaciwln being regultedwifiih respect t0 mm 0:? $2116 (3911131 jjhsa ink-11%, aha blocks 19which is 32213121 m3 varcicaE a '5 for t 135 p urp sm s0 to keep haveawe-ted '00 q claims ma mimmng This 1219f discharged from the chute.

the blank are always round (Fig. 7), so that the overall diagonaldimensions of the blank are slightly reduced. This renders the blankmore liable to drop into the mold cavit 1 without catching at thecorners, whici would otherwise sometimes happen with blanks which wereslightly oversize. The turnover plate is carried by the pivot pin 28provided at its end with the pinion 2!) engaging therack 12 heretoforereferred to as operated from one of the cams on the shaft 2. Theconnection between the cam 30 on the shaft 2 (Fig. 3) and the rack bar12,-will be seen by reference to This connection includes the lever armill pivoted at 32 upon the bracket 3; and carrying at "its inner end theroller 34 engaging the cam,

and the rod 35. This rod is pivoted at its upper end to the, rack asindicated at :36 and at its lower end to the lever 31, as indicated at37, a plurality of holes being provided at the ends of the lever and barto permit of adjustment. The spring 1-58 serves to hold the rollc ill incontact with the cam and causes the rack to move up ward tobring theturnover plate to the position indicated in Fig. 5 when the .-urvatureot the cam 30 permits it. This, of course, curves at suitable timedintervals, the turnover plate always being in the-position indicated inFig. 5 at the moment a blank is discharged into the chute. At this time,the mold table 8 is being moved to bring one of its cavities 8) intoposition opposite the turnover plate in order to receive a blank. Therelation of the turnover plate to the mold cavity is such that when theplate is turned through a distance of 180 degrees from the position ofFig. 5, bringing it to the dotted line posit ion marked the center lineof the blank is brought approximately in'line-wvith the center line 3.)of the mold cavity. By this means, the blank is positioned with accuracyand certainty in the mold cavity, and in practically all cases, itvvill.drop into such cavity andlie tlat therein ready for engagement by theplunger '1 This transfer occurs after the table has come to a stop withits cavity in position to receive the blank, and at this period of rest.the mold plunger is operated to press the blank in the next precedingmold cavity into circular form, completely lilling the ca ity.'llhedinfing of the parts is such that as soorras the plunger iswithdrawn and the cam 30 secures the movement of the turnover plate backto the position of Fig.

- 5. the operating n'iechanism ot' the press rotates the table aheadonestep to bring the next cavity of the table into proper position, afterwhich the cycle is repeated. The turnover device not only performs thefunction of inverting the blanks, but insures a positive transfer of theblanks from the chute to the mold cavities such as could not be securedif the chute led to a position over the cavities so that the transferdepended mere- 'lv upon gravity. lVith such gravity feed 1. Thecombination with a tunnnel heating chamber provided with a contimiouscarrier for optical blanks, and a molding or pressing machine adjacentthe exit end of the. chamber provided with mold cavities and plungermeans for pressing the blanks in such cavities, of transfer meansintermediate ,the carrier and the pressing machine, and means fordischarging the blanks from the carrier to the transfer meansconipvising. a driven endless pusher member provided at intervals withblank engaging devices and arranged with one flight extending across thecarrier so that the engaging devices will push the blanks across thecarricr to said transfer means.

The combination with a tunnel heatinghamber provided with a continuouscarrier for optical blanks, and'a molding or pressing mat-t ine adjacentthe exit. end of the chamber provided with mold cavities and plungermeans for pressing the blanks in such cavities, of an inclined transferchute leading from the side of the carrier to the pressing machine, andan endless driven pushing device arranged with one flight thereotextending across thetop ot the carrier in line with the chute andprovided with spaced pus-her i'nembcrs adapted to engage the blanks onthe carrier and slide them across the top thereof into the end of saidchute. v

3. The combination with a tunnel heating chamber provided with acontinuous carrier for optical blanks, and a, molding or press ingmachine adjacent the ex t end of the chamber provided with moldc'z-ivities and plunger means for prcssing'the blanks in such cavities.of means for moving the blanks from the carrier, a turnover device atthe side of the machine com 'irising a plate or member in position toreceive the blanks from the carrier upon its upper face and pivoted formovement through lfwt) degr es in such position that when i s turnedover it will deposit the blanks in srid sockets, and means for operatingthe turnover device in timed relation with respect to said means formoving the blanks and with respect to the operation of said machine.

4. Thecol'nbination with a tunnel heating lit) chamber provided with acontinumis carrier for optical blanks, and a molding or press ingmachine adjacent the exit end ot the chamber provided with mold cavitiesand plunger means for pressing the blanks in such cavities of m mns f?moving ihe' bianizsfrom the Qarricr, an mciineai chute between iJilGcarrier and ,said machine re ceiving the blanks from ililfizir1'iex',';&n(i a Li mnm'ier deviec at; side 0:? 5211a machine inposition. to receive the biaraics fsrsmihe chute upon its face,anci'pivoiad foimnvement through 180 degrees in such position-fiiat whanii is turned. over, it, will (19/- posit the blanks in. saici w ckets,and means is? apei'aimg the izuriwver zieviee in timed reiaiien w' -iEmpire? to said means for 'mov ing the blanks sir-id with mspeqfiis theoperamen 01E saizii machine,

5v iiimwmbinaiiiun with a tunnel heatfihamizer pmvirimi with qnnfiinuous'cmwim 1*?01' sptieai bianiis, ami a mniing or pressing macixim adjacenttiifi anti 01 th s chambai pmvidml wiihnml i cavities and phmgaz: meansL601 passing the blanks in Email awaiies means for moving the bianksfrom 1116 cam'im, a tumomr Tim/ism at e machine comprising piata 01 Asitim: in receive ti'ie blanks will tits calmer rip-an its flipper Limeand inte nmvemeni; thmugh 18S ziegmcs pasifiimi iimi; when itifS-t'il'fi'fififi over, i" biamimiu gaskets, anti fine fiaYW-"fioverdisvicc in aespaagx 280 21226 maang faves zzzemberbeing pmviaszci wit vr pcslt'mn'mg 2311s mizmizs mam-- 71 6i Sammai he chzzmb mu was m"Tiiiitfifi and Mania; 12s for waving ii-1s 2123mm: device fiomp'risingi iesiaz'ipn i0 receiva 31-11 23? 22. pg iii upper :i'aee' s wjment thwzgii 18% 6% 0n 'ai' i 11' i i means 'h-a s and with respectmachine,saic'i upyr 0:: member is'ai'ng pmvi A r 'zim' pcsiitioning the blanks'iimi'ami. 7., wmbinatimii with a tunnel heatin simmbvsr pmvicied Wiilha continuous ca rri i icy flanks, and a mowing 0:" press 30 Eng mash eadjacent the exit and. 0f the chamber prc'vids l wiifh amid. cavitiesphage? for pressing 'bialiks in such a s Q mamas- ??Lvif maving the IMarks 2 1" iu'riiwver fle'viae 5 at lashin camyri iixg 2:,

maciiine -raki Jei" Kate 0xmemimr in asition to receive the uianks harmthe carrier upon its upper face a ndpivotefi for mv'mmenb-threughdegases; in such osifiien that when it is turned over, it will plfipfifiif l ifi blanks in said sock sis, and means fo 'fiperating theturnovez' device in timed reliition with respect $0 saici means formoving the bimnks arid :With respect to the operation of said machinesaid upper face (if the plate 01 member being provided with a recess,open on the? side in Ward the carrier for positioning the blanksthereon. i 8. The combinatian with a tunnel heating chamber prowidadwith a continuous'carrier for 'opiical blanks, mm} a molding or pressingmi giline adjacent i'uhe exit end of the chamiji provided with maidcavities and plunger means 011 pressing the blanks in' die sit thebianks'in said ssckeis-ani memm for nperating file turnever device iniimeci relation with iosai means for 1mm" ing the blanks and withrespect, $0 the 0pemtion 0f said machine, said upper face of the plateor member being pmvided with means; pe sitjqning' the blanks the-mom.

9. The cembinaiion with a inane chambgr provid d wink a mntimxouscm'fim' fc i 0pl-icai bia'fii s, and a mnioing or pressmg machine adacent the @Xii} and of the chami'imi' provided wifla mold cavitiesplunger for 'PTQSSHEQ the bi wi s in sufih aavities, 05 means mcivingthe him?! from iiae carrim, imiineii chum baw'aen file CfiI'IiQZ andsaii machina imr rrsei'ving' the blanks from five mmrier, aniiilfifiIlDVEi. device ai the. side 0% the mashing pasiiian t0- receimizha Hanks .fmm the chute ii upper? face, and pimyied for i m; wmQn. 180degrees in such 3008i amt v wan it is turne ever it :Wiii die-- theflanks in -said wickets, anci almans operating; the turnover device iniilfifiiii relation with z spest to saidmeans f0? mavizig the Marks andwith cration' 0f machine.. mid uppefrface 0f the plate mmemijer-being-pmvided with a, curved Wall or shauider @pen on the sicietoward the carrier and adaptaii-o pessition the blanks anti to round thecorners 9f flu:

SHE Ni hawking respect to the ap-

